Possible service issues at U.S. embassy in case of government shutdown

[Jingthing]

As many Americans know, there is a possible U.S. government "shutdown" starting October 1 based on a conflict over the funding of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

I have heard reports that PASSPORTS will not be issued during any period of such a government shutdown.

I don't know if that applies to embassies or not, or only about domestic issue passports.

((speculation removed - lopburi3))

Edited September 22, 2013 by lopburi3
remove

[phuketrichard]

where did u hear such report?

well, as ALL passports are now issued by the US sate dept in the states an not the embassy (as was the case 10 years ago)

would assume it means ALL passports will be on hold.

as takes an average of 10 days to 16 or so to get anew one ur shit out of luck :-)

[Tywais]

Experts agree: A federal government shutdown would be a dumb way to go.

Yet the risk of a shutdown on Oct. 1 is now a distinct possibility. And federal agencies have been instructed to make plans for one just in case.

<snip>

What will be closed for business: Many, if not most, federal government offices, programs, museums and parks would be shuttered.

So if the shutdown lasts awhile, the travel industry could take a hit as vacations and business trips are scuttled -- whether because people can't get a visa or passport or because they have to cancel their plans to visit Yosemite.

For federal contractors, projects may be delayed because the agencies they work for can't issue the paperwork needed to move forward.

And Americans who need something from a federal office affected by the shutdown may be out of luck.

Money.cnn

[Tywais]

Government Shutdown 101: What Happens When The Lights Go Off?

• Non-essential employees, about 1/3 of the federal workforce, would be furloughed. The distinction between non-essential employees and those who are needed is discretionary but is guided by instructions from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). A memorandum issued by OMB in 1980 defines “essential” government services and “essential” employees as those providing for the national security, including the conduct of foreign relations essential to the national security or the safety of life and property; providing for benefit payments and the performance of contract obligations under no-year or multi-year or other funds remaining available for those purposes; and conducting essential activities to the extent that they protect life and property. With that (and subsequent guidance), federal agencies are required to determine which of their employees are “essential.”
• Other federal employees would continue to work but, as in the mid 1990s, they would not be paid until the shutdown was resolved. And yes, that includes the President and the Congress.

<snip>

• Visas and passports would not be processed. In 1995, 20,000-30,000 applications by foreigners for visas went unprocessed each day of the furlough and 200,000 U.S. applications for passports went unprocessed. The loss to the tourism industry was said to be acute.

Forbes

[ubonjoe]

Here it would income affidavits and passports they could be a problem.

Passports not a big issue unless you somehow allowed it to expire or almost expire. Not sure about pages but those you could do now.

Income affidavits get them now.

[Langsuan Man]

A phone call to the US Embassy in Bangkok or the Consulate in Chaing Mai would answer all these questions, but then the TV warriors couldn't chime in

[Tywais]

Off topic post and reply removed.

[BigSkip]

maybe a good time for a income letter to be done???????

[Jingthing]

OK, Bloomberg is estimating the chance of a shutdown, starting end of day Monday U.S. time at 40 percent. So definitely a possibility.

As far as consular services, I got this:

Domestic passport offices would close for new applications, although staff would stay to process expedited applications already in the system.

In foreign posts, diplomatic reporting on bilateral and multilateral issues and arms control would continue, as well as reporting on “crisis” countries. Refugee assistance, drug inderdiction and repatriation loan programs would be fully staffed. So would support for travel by the president, vice-president, secretary of state and other cabinet-level officials. In consular offices overseas, routine services to U.S. citizens would be suspended, although emergency visas would be issued. Posts in volatile countires, including Baghdad, Cairo, Islamabad and Kabul, would be fully staffed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/2013-shutdown-federal-department-impact/

[paz]

In foreign posts, diplomatic reporting on bilateral and multilateral issues and arms control would continue, as well as reporting on “crisis” countries. Refugee assistance, drug inderdiction and repatriation loan programs would be fully staffed

What is "drug interdiction" ?

Edited September 27, 2013 by paz

[wayned]

What about Social Security payments which are due on 3 October? Aren't they payments for the month of September and should already be funded?

Edited September 27, 2013 by wayned

[4evermaat]

Didnt some us govt shutdown of non-essential persons/services almost happen 2-3 years ago due to some budget technicality?

"Second best time to plant a tree is today" sent from note 2 TV app

[ubonjoe]

What about Social Security payments which are due on 3 October?  Aren't they payments for the month of September and should already be funded?

Social security operates on it's own funding we should get our payments.

[Tywais]

Defiant House delays Obamacare; government shutdown looms

Washington (CNN) -- In a move that makes a government shutdown very likely, House Republicans approved a spending plan early Sunday morning that would delay Obamacare for a year and repeal its tax on medical devices.

The temporary budget resolution now goes back to the Senate, where Democrats have consistently said any changes to President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law is a deal-killer.

On top of that, Obama has already issued a veto threat.

If Washington can't reach a deal, a government shutdown will begin at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

More here - CNN.com

[Jingthing]

Yeah the odds seem more like 90 percent of a shutdown now. The drama day is Monday. The senate starts then at 2 PM and technically it's over at midnight. If there's still any hope at that point they can actually work through the night as well.

Edited September 29, 2013 by Jingthing

[Chao Lao Beach]

Kind of comical really

Like a touch of Thai-ness in Washigton

[Sceptict11]

Kind of comical really alt=giggle.gif>

Like a touch of Thai-ness in Washigton alt=cheesy.gif width=32 height=20>

It is "democracy at work"!

Roll out the "pork barrels" or we will not play !

Such behavior is called "corruption" in many parts of the world !

[JLCrab]

This from NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/29/us/politics/federal-agencies-lay-out-contingency-plans-for-possible-shutdown.html

Most employees of the State Department would continue to report to work, domestically and abroad. Most overseas employees, and many of the people working in Washington to support them, would be considered essential because of their diplomatic and national security functions.

Much of the State Department operates outside the normal Congressional appropriations process, meaning many bureaus and offices would remain open. Most passport offices, for example, would continue to process applications normally because the department’s consular function is financed largely through fees.

[4evermaat]

This from NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/29/us/politics/federal-agencies-lay-out-contingency-plans-for-possible-shutdown.html

Most employees of the State Department would continue to report to work, domestically and abroad. Most overseas employees, and many of the people working in Washington to support them, would be considered essential because of their diplomatic and national security functions.

Much of the State Department operates outside the normal Congressional appropriations process, meaning many bureaus and offices would remain open. Most passport offices, for example, would continue to process applications normally because the department’s consular function is financed largely through fees.

So for all those wondering why you pay $50 for a notary, lol.

I guess we'll all find out tomorrow what the deal is, but it does look like basic services that would affect expats the most would be unaffected.

[Langsuan Man]

19. Can I get a passport? Maybe, but hurry. The Department of State says it has some funds outside the annual congressional appropriation. "Consular operations domestically and overseas will remain 100% operational as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations," the department says.

source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/09/29/questions-and-answers-about-the-shutdown/2888419/

[Jingthing]

OK, American folks.

It looks like this shutdown is going to happen.

Here is where to check for updates on service issues at our embassy/consulate, etc.:

any change in services in the event of a gov't shutdown?

We don't know at this time, but please continue to check our website (and our tweets) for updates

https://twitter.com/ACSBKK

If you need to apply to start social security now, that will be delayed, but as stated before, checks will keep coming.

Edited September 30, 2013 by Jingthing

[Sceptict11]

From the BBC website ..............

"If the government does shut down on 1 October, national parks and Washington's Smithsonian museums would close, pension and veterans' benefit cheques would be delayed, and visa and passport applications would go unprocessed."

Extract from the Gettysburg Address

"and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." !

Edited September 30, 2013 by Sceptict11

[wayned]

I emailed the Embassy yesterday asking what services would be cut if there was a shutdown and got the following response:

"We do not have any information about a shut down at this time. Our customers will be informed in the event of a closure. Please schedule your appointment for October 22 and you will be informed if there are any changes."

Interesting response . How will they inform us if they are shut down!

[lopburi3]

You might want to follow them on Twitter as they are very active with information.

ACS Bangkok ‏@ACSBKK

[ubonjoe]

From the BBC website ..............

 

 

"If the government does shut down on 1 October, national parks and Washington's Smithsonian museums would close, pension and veterans' benefit cheques would be delayed, and visa and passport applications would go unprocessed." 

 

 

Extract from the Gettysburg Address

 

"and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." !

 

 

That's partly wrong. Government pensions are funded separately.

[lopburi3]

Federal retirement payments, like payments such as Social Security benefits, fall under the "mandatory" budget category not funded through annual appropriations and thus not affected by these kinds of funding deadlocks. According to the OPM document, federal retirees "will still receive their scheduled annuity payments on the first business day of the month."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2013/09/24/shutdown-threat-raises-pay-benefits-issues-for-federal-employees/

[ubonjoe]

It is has now happened 0003 in Washington. Now it is wait and see.

Edited October 1, 2013 by ubonjoe

[Jingthing]

The "shutdown" has begun.

Edited October 1, 2013 by Jingthing

[HeijoshinCool]

Good.

[4evermaat]

Good.

What is so good about certain gov't services shutting down, including some in which will most likely negatively impact TV members at some point?

The "shutdown" has begun.

1380599868.jpg.CROP.promovar-mediumlarge.jpg

Here is another link to a bloomberg article, although I'm sure thaivisa has something forthcoming. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-01/government-shutdown-begins-as-deadlocked-congress-flails.html

Here is some more historical background as to what happens during these gov't shutdowns http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/federalbudgetprocess/a/Government-Shutdowns.htm

Edited October 1, 2013 by 4evermaat